who are the idiots who schedule the games for the Jefferson Girls Showcase? Our team is coming from very far east and we have an early game on Friday and a late game on Sunday. Do the organizers give any thought to the amount of time the parents have to take from work and the kids from school? We have to take 2 days from work , the kids 2 days from school and by the time they get home Sunday, it could be 1 am. they then have to get up early for school Monday.

Sounds like your coach didn't give you a heads up? Is it your first trip to Jeff Cup?The early game Friday is why your team hotel booking starts Thursday night.The latest game is 2:40 Sunday right? Welcome to Jeff Cup!!

Jeff cup is awesome. Great fields, real bathrooms, and the best competition. Weather typically holds up, last year little rain, little cold, but not bad. Mild winter should help as well. Who knows with byc what is going on at jeff cup this year, many of those teams are changed.

8:52 - yeah, can be rough. A friend that is from a DI school on the west coast said it would burn him up when he coached youth that heading east to tourneys like Jeff Cup his club would get the early games first day and late games last day. He swore it was intentional. Is it? You would hope not, but.....

Word is that the $6-7k estimated cost for Washington Spirit Girls DA does NOT include travel. Because the academy has no existing teams to spread the infrastructure/administrative costs over (admin, fields, coaching, etc.), the DA girls will be paying all of those costs, so fee will be twice as much than the girls at the other local DAs with travel programs in place. Also Spirit was asking for major "contributions" for clubs to be an affiliate of the program to offset the costs but was offering very little in return.

That's a far cry from the free ride for the players that many people on here foolishly believe was going to happen.

11:22 - i saw that on a comment in maybe it was this blog as far as cost for that club. No one gave it a yeah or nay. If you have any questions, i suggest you go to the source. The blogosphere isn't always correct. A lot of hype.

No travel is NOT included. As I stated, and heard from several sources, it's $6-7K without travel. Spirit DA has no existing infrastructure so there's only 8 teams (VA and MD) to pay for the shared infrastructure *registration, other admin costs), and then VA pay the costs for not only the team coaches but also the costs that are normally spread across the whole club of many more teams, such as the technical director, goalkeeping coach, fields, etc.

So instead of the pro team supplementing the costs of the DA, at least for Spirit Virginia, it turns out the the pro-affiliated DA will cost twice as much as the two nearby DAs (Spirit MD should be a little less).

All you need to know is the main clubs in NJ/PA/NY are going GDA - I'm guessing it's the same in MD and VA.

10:33 the people making a stink are the people on the outs. The ECNL beat up on the Non-ECNL for years and used it's the girl's equivalent to BDA since the USSF didn't create a GDA. Well know they did and we all know the GDA is now the top of the pyramid and the ECNL parents/coaches/doc are using the same argument the USYS Non-ECNL and NPL teams used in the past. What is that saying what goes around?

You "guessed" wrong about VA and MD. Of the top teams in VA and MD, at most you could argue two have chosen to go the DA route - FC Virginia, and its partner Loudoun. In northern VA, McLean, Arlington, and BRYC chose not to do DA. Based on the past few years, I no longer consider PWSI a top tier club on the girls side, and their DA partners are unimpressive. The top VA clubs in central VA (Richmond United) and the coast (Beach and Rush) also did not choose the DA path. In MD, both Bethesda and Maryland United elected not to pursue DA. Spirit MD's partner club, Baltimore Armour, is not a top tier girls club.

So given how wrong you are about what's happening in MD and VA, why should anyone give any credence to the rest of what you're spouting?

So you expect me to believe all those clubs were offered GDA spots and turned them down? Whatever dude. All I am saying PDA, Penn Fusion, World Class are in so are FC Stars and Boston Breakers I'm sure you heard of these clubs and their resume.

Now I see what all the Spirit comments are about? They are they only game in town with a seat at the table and all those high quality players will be leaving your clubs, oopps.

How stupid are you? Why would you say "They are they (sic) only game in town with a seat at the table" when there are two other DAs only 30-40 minutes away? Once again, you demonstrate your complete ignorance of what's actually happening.

This happened with the boys' so maybe they decided to go another route. I know several top tier players moving to GDA from this team. US soccer has said they will take away emblems from teams that are not top level.

1;37 How many times do I have to say I'm not from VA/MD and have no clue about where the training fields are. The dude said the following 8 clubs 1. McLean, 2. Arlington, 3. BRYC, 4. Richmond United, 5. Beach, 6. Rush, 7. Bethesda and 8. Maryland all said NO to GDA and also said at most you could argue two have chosen to go the DA route FC Virginia and PWSI and their partners and of course MDs Baltimore Armour were scrubs also.

So educate me about GDA in VA/MD how many of these 8 clubs are in Spirit's backyard? All I read is hate about Spirit and don't understand where that is coming from. My kid is a freshman and I get the PDA Storm and East Meadow HotshotZ hate and the PennFusion/PennLegacy/PA Classics triangle in PA from this board. So ignorant and stupid i am when it comes to VA/MD soccer - educate me the old U14 board never had VA/MD talk it was all NJ/NY& PA.

Yes even the MLS can see the enormous $$$ in girls soccer.MLS and NWSL club academies huge advantage over other clubs.How bout that.

New York City FC are delighted to announce the NYCFC Girls Soccer Academy.

The new Academy program will provide an elite training environment for girls across four age groups (U-14, U-15, U-16/17 & U-18/19), offering the highest level of technical standards and competition for New York’s brightest young talent.

Launching in Spring 2017 and in conjunction with NYCFC Youth Affiliate World Class FC, the New York City FC Girls Academy will join the U.S Soccer Development Academy. The Academy will play out of World Class FC’s Orangeburg location, one of the nation’s top soccer-specific facilities, and opposite the Club’s under-construction City Football Academy elite training facility.

Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said: “We’re delighted to be launching this Academy which will provide high quality soccer coaching, and a genuine pathway to U.S Youth National teams and top collegiate programs.”

“This is a significant moment in the history of our club as NYCFC make a commitment to girls soccer and announce an Academy which we believe will contribute to the bright future of the women’s game in the tri-state area.

“With more than 1.5 million girls playing soccer in the US, including more than 200,000 in New York, there has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the game.”

Jon Patricof, President of NYCFC, said: “City Football Group has demonstrated its dedication to the women’s game with the launch of Manchester City Women in 2014 and Melbourne City Women in 2016. Both teams have since gone on to win their league titles, and we are so happy to build on that success with the launch our own girls Academy program.

NYCFC Girls Academy will be led by Director of Coaching, Kazbek Tambi, who has significant experience as a coach and player, taking the U.S U-17 National Team to the final of the 2008 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup, and coaching current U.S. Women’s internationals and professional players, including Morgan Brian, Crystal Dunn and Lindsey Horan. Tambi joined World Class FC 7 years ago and has developed many of the top metropolitan players over the last 20 years.

The program is part of the new U.S. Soccer Development Academy Initiative, also supported by four MLS clubs FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Orlando Soccer Club.

Girls aged 14 to 19 years old who are interested in playing for NYCFC Girls Academy should inquire about registration by emailing info@nycfcgirlsda.com and visiting our website to register for more information.

Definition of top player:Stands with her back to the goal, many times offside, waiting for the ball to get to her in this great kick and run game some like to play soccer.Oh...and when she gets the ball, she scores at least 25% of the time!

Wow 3:09, you just nailed it and described some of the best players in soccer, such as Alex Morgan, Marta, Christine Sinclair and even Lotta Schelin. They are indeed players that play with their backs to the goal and get called offsides a lot. But to be honest they don't score twenty five percent of the time they get the ball. I am just hoping that my daughter plays a little bit like they do. Please pass along any other insightful tidbits you may be holding back.

Top field players in my opinion - positive attitude when in game or not, composed with the ball at her feet, connects well with team, transitions to defense, great tackler and can play any position on the field (not goalie) and not hurt the team at any of them and of course use both feet equally.

But it doesn't surprise me that many think goal scoring forwards are or maybe a #10, but to me the most important position on any soccer team besides the goalie is the #6.

11:26 so happy that player tackled the ball away, dribbled past everybody and got the shot off to score and of course before that she was running all over the place defending. 8:28 no worries, I liked the question. 11:26 back to you again, yes without goals you can't win and without opportunities to score you can't win either and without great defending and working hard you can't win either. So you think goal scorers are the top players on all their teams?Who's more Important to Barca Xavi or Messi? Which one had more success with their NTs? which one didn't score as many goals not even close. But I agree we all love the goals

Busquets is massively struggling this year and has been a bomb... With Iniesta plagued with injuries Messi has to carry and lay the bricks this year for Barca. It is nice having Suarez and Neymar around..

For those that like to use "Kick and run" instead of direct. It is a tactic used by many schools and for this to work you need players that fit the style. You may not like it but it will never go away. I am not a fan of this style, but it does get results most of the time.

"The further back in the build a team’s leading passer tends to be, the more direct the formula. Atlanta United’s five leading passers by volume, in order: Greg Garza (left back), Leandro Pirez (center back), Carlos Carmona (defensive midfielder), Michael Parkhurst (center back), and Alec Kann (goalkeeper).

This is precisely how coach Tata Martino pushed Barcelona during his time there, and it’s how the Argentinian national team looked under his care"

8:43If you're saying that tata tried direct with FCB and it didn't work, you're correct.If you're saying that's how they play now, you're on crack

Here's direct play defined for you. Yes, most high school play:

Players almost always pass forward• Many passes are long and vertical• Many passes played into areas – kick vs pass• Many passes are played into space behind opponents’ backline – foot races• Lots of fights for ‘second balls’• All goal kicks are punted long• All throw-ins are thrown long ‘down the line’• All free kicks in defensive and middle third are kicked longwith everyone moving up for the kick

The point is that a team needs to adapt to the play of the other team.If you watched US women last night, they were lost and couldn't stop France. 3 back should've gone to 4 back and that is a game where the long ball should've been used more bc possession sucked and our ladies were given ball away constantly.When you see 2 offenders constantly beat you in speed to get around you...figure it out damn it!!

When you are the number 1 team in the world sometimes you think to much of yourself and experiment or you get to see what some players can really do when the deck is stacked against them. Simple we dribble way to much and miss opportunities because we hold the ball to long and then play a ball that's has the incorrect weight or is played to the wrong foot or even behind the player killing the attack. In general we are not a creative bunch because we have basketball/baseball/football/lacross coaches teaching our kids when they are young because we are not a soccer nation yet and this is killing us as the world gets better and we stay the same. ECNL had a great platform with the USSF backing them but they went the $$$ and only cared about the top of the roster the players they can market to keep the cash coming in, instead of flat out teaching the kids. Some will say they did teach the kids, to them I say have you watched any of the YNTs play? Japan has left us in the dust.

Did you see the 3rd goal -watch it again - I forget the girls name but she just watched the ball go past her without even an attachment to block it then puts her hands on her head- for real. The facts are 3 or 4 in the back France is just better as is was England and Germany. We finished in last place on our home fields. Would Sweden and Japan finished a head of us if they were here -are we number 6 in the world now?

PS. mistakes are part of the game and good teams make you pay for them.

9:23 - ??? On first goal, France had the great run and pass not us. Brian (didn't think she had a great tourney either) turned over and Long got beat (as she did again only minutes later). PK deserved as GK did sweep feet and didn't get ball, but she had to do it.

Just like in Youth Soccer teams, WNT needs to broaden player search not narrow it.

"With much sadness I have decided to shut down this rankings site. My real job has gotten a lot busier recently and I do not have sufficient time to dedicate to keeping this site updated. Thanks to everyone who has contributed over the years."

Would like to send a thank you to the creator. He/she did a wonderful job and had a great idea how to combine all the rankings for the closest to a true ranking you could get. Your hard work was very much appreciated.

I absolutely agree with your "It's good to be the king" comment; ahhhh, Mel Brooks. Classic.And also agree, why be part of a league like that. That would be cool re the MLS affiliation. I have my fav re it. :)

Also, would love Union to pick up an NWSL team, too. Talent Energy Park (which was quite nice to US Soccer/results) was packed. Fingers crossed they see the forest through the trees.

2:47 - I agree with you that ECNL has already shown it doesn't treat member clubs equally or fairly. What do you propose? More teams join another league? If so, which one? From a business perspective, I still can't believe ECNL did that.

1. GDA2. NCS (only because this is open to all members andyou need to qualify)3. ECNL (was #1 before GDA, but with the change and ECNL taking a club hit while still being closed)4. Super Y - Also closed a league5. US Club national Championship - I put this last because it's pay to play it's open to anyone who pays the the Regional event fees and they play teams that won State cups. So in other words you can lose state cup but still play in the regional event if you pay)

If player is a D1 talent then GDA, ECNL, NL, NPL and RL teams are where you have to be or ODP. Isay this because these teams get accepted to the major tournaments, I don't see many teams from LIJSL, CJSYSA, PAGS or JAGS being accepted to CASL, PDA or Disney on the east coast.

I know you stated its your opinion and that's totally fine.But for me, I don't know how you can put an unproved league as #1.Teams haven't even been formed yet. They haven't played 1 game or had 1 practice yet.

If your equating the girls DA to boys DA, even then there is potential but I don't think there will be immediate impact at this age. Maybe for the girls that are starting not as U11's and 12's.

It will take 2 to 4 years for the Girls DA to make any significant impact. ECNL took several years to impact the college recruiting network and it needed buy in with college coaches to promote it when ECNL clubs started pulling them into the equation to coach.

I look at the DA and ECNL to battle back and forth for several years. As many of the ECNL coaches are either at or linked to coaching ECNL while GDA is more US Soccer brand. So opinions can vary if you feel your daughter is potential national level type of player(1-2%) of all girls than GDA is where you want to be. If you feel your daughter is D1 college player than ECNL is by far your top league.

Of course you'll see the power schools 1-50 like NC, Penn State, UCLA, Florida continue to recruit early from GDA in the future the schools ranked 50-340 and lower will look at the next avenue which will be ECNL.

So in my opinion you rank leagues based on where you plan your daughter's ability and what level she wants to play. National type player of course GDA, college bound player GDA/ECNL.

8:32 - Don't you think there are some areas that the NPL is strong as well (not necessarily the entire league, but pockets of teams). Usually it's where there is no ECNL or where the market isn't overly saturated with several ECNL teams.

12:24 - need to make clear that these are when the GDA kicks in. Currently, ECNL is the top where GDA would appear on your various lists. Right? It's interesting that you have ECNL coming in after NCS after GDA kicks in. Very interesting. NCS is only open to non-ECNL so not really open to all. Currently, ECNL can't participate. Does that change after GDA? And, then does that make a difference in your grid?

12:24 - I hate to break it to you, but US Soccer Federation has already made that decision. Currently, it's ECNL. Most if not all of the top kids in ECNL will go to GDA, like it or not. So, as USSF has proclaimed, GDA will be where most of the best will be (currently proven or not). It has already been given the clout. Don't be silly to think otherwise.

I agree. I saw a comment on the U15 blog (I have a younger child). It was the last one that could be posted. Boy those U15's can complain. lolAnyway, it noted various rescheduling this past weekend of DA tryouts. Clearly they had no clue that ECNL/PDP schedules were what caused the conflict (and the weather) as most (if not all) of those kids will be GDA. The best advice I have seen is find the league that fits you, your daughter, your family. And, get the most out of it for whatever you, your daughter, your family want out of it. There is plenty of soccer out there. It will all work out.

1. USSF the top of the pyramid so their league will be the top of the pyramid for top players that want to play NT and the top schools will recruit these players - so other players will want to be there as well to play with the best, wy wouldn't they? College recruiting won't be an issue if your kid plays GDA.

2. I placed the top US Club and USYS leagues in this spot.

3. I placed regional leagues that advance to a national championship - NPL is US Club's 2nd tier as RL for USYS

4. Super Y is club neutral that advances to nationals so for some kids this is an avenue.

5. Regional leagues that stop with a league title no advancement

6. I didn't list a #6 but this would be all other leagues not recreational.

12:24 GDA is USSF and will attract the best players that want to play NT and the best players that want to play with the best. College recruiting will not be an issue for these players

1:12 "college bound player GDA/ECNL" plenty of clubs not GDA/ECNL have college bound players (top 50 soccer schools) but that is your opinion.

4:45 Kids playing HS will join club after HS they will just miss GDA showcase events to play for school if that floats their boat and will join team after HS season.

6:25 NPL is tier 2 by US Club standards with ECNL being tier 1.

6:50 I would have ECNL and USYS NL after NCS since NCS is open to every team that is registered with them if they qualify - not a group of guys in a room saying they are good enough. ECNL teams can participate if they also play in a USYS league - NCS is open to all USYS team -ECNL is NOT OPEN to all US Club teams they are open to their clubs only.

6:53 agree 100%

I don't think GDA cares about the younger age PDP schedules, do you? GDA cares about their U17, U19, U21 and NT teams - I don't seen many at a PDP event with a shot.

Again just my opinion. I like when every one has a chance what you make of it is on them can be good or can be a shock to their system (really bad)

Doubtful right away at least. I find it may be hard to go from a non-ECNL environment immediately to a GDA. I think it will take a little bit of time. And, when it does, it's always good for the players to have choices. It would be great for the sport for both to do well.

There was also 2001 and 2000 penn fusion kids at PDP who played for PAC. Says good things about PAC developmental programs. The 99 has always been a super top player with national aspirations. Players like her will go where they see the best development and national exposure opportunities. The PAC has the geographic edge for Harrisburg but the DA product will have to be seen as superior to penn fusion for PAC to be the automatic choice for the very best players.

Right now it's unproven. The 01/02 team at PAC could be really good especially if some of the former penn legacy kids return next year from penn fusion. The 00/99 team will need a big infusion to be competitive with the ECNL converted teams. I don't see that happening in the short term unless PAC allows school ball and some return in the spring for their last semester. However their program shouldn't be judged on that oldest team. The younger teams might be really good. For the western Lancaster kids closer to Mannheim driving an hour to Downingtown and west Chester might come back sooner and bolster the younger teams immediately.

The older west Lancaster kids won't make a difference to the 00/99 team except maybe the 00 PDP kid. Plus that one is a twin and the other kid is actually the stronger player. If they both come back would help. The 01 PDP kid would help out for sure. Also of course if they switch back it will weaken penn fusion and even the playing field between them significantly. For the east Lancaster kids it isn't that far to ustc and not quite a drop kick to Mannheim. At Harrisburg no tolls and half hour shorter commute is compelling. If they put together a decent program at PAC seen as equal to penn fusion in development and opportunity it's a no brainer. Then of course there is always the pulisic aura to bump PAC.

3:40 in Zombieland. If the PAC 01's or 02's are going to be even remotely competitive, they will need everyone of those former Penn Legacy players currently playing for Penn Fusion. As of right now the current 01 and 02 teams give new meaning to PAC (Players athletically challenged). The real athletes are those flying around on PF soccer fields.

PAC 02's are very good and are always in top tournament bracket. 01's seem to struggle. If they get even a handful of top players the 01/02 DA team will do great. Especially if they get a quality coach which rumor has it they do have one but have yet to release his name.

I think it' s time for all parents on this board with girls that play soccer to invest as well. Watch the game or at least put the channel on a TV in the house, get that viewership number up. The more money the league makes the more opportunities our kids will have here in the states to make a little money and play this game.

A+E Networks invests in NWSL with equity stake and together launch NWSL Media, a new media and commercial joint venture; Lifetime to be official sponsor and broadcast partner of the league in a three-year deal

The NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime will provide fans throughout the country with a live viewing platform every Saturday at 4 p.m. ET to watch the best players in the world. A pre-game show will kick off each weekly event at 3:30 p.m. ET. Showcasing the network’s sponsorship and commitment to the league, Lifetime will be featured on all official jerseys with a patch on the right sleeve.

Re: latest PDP roster...One of the ex-PAC players is and has been way over-rated. Shows the power of parents pushing and using every political tool there is to advance their daughter.Kudos to her!! She's already committed and will probably play school ball fyi...

Seriously 954 trollThe 99 is a super stud YNT player committed to UNC. So can't be talking about her. The 00 isn't committed- so not her. The 01 must be your target. Your jealousy is so transparent in this. She is committed to a great big10 school and invited to PDP. Believe me Penn Fusion and Tino don't let parents influence anything there. Since she was put forward for PDP, they must consider her a top player in the club. Looks like 1 99, 2 00, 3 01s in the whole club plus a 00 GK. It's an honor congrats. PAC does something right in development at the younger ages since these kids are so successful at the older ages.

I've seen both HS and GDA choices and they're directly related to graduating year...high percentage of 99s(juniors) will be playing HS as this is their 4th year as Varsity. On the other hand, most 01s are choosing GDA next year.

10:27 I disagree with your troll comment. It was his/her opinion, the kids are under a microscope, this is part of the game when you are a high level athlete. Some like you and some don't.

Parents need to stop the PC BS and suck it up or stay away for message boards and social media if they have a soft stomach when it comes to negative comments.

PDA discussion will start up once they win a game, I know no wins in 6 games means nothing but when you are the cream of the crop in NJ I would expect above.500 regardless of who plays and in what ever format games are played to be won and the players on the field did not win. On the bright side they are the #2 team in NJ according to YSR rankings with a 38.02.

Looking back at PA - PAC is a 36.13 a 2 goal underdog vs PennFusion who has a score of 38.51. Sorry for the results based comments.

11:42 - my daughter and her friends/soccer buds those at school and those at club are juniors (99 & 00). The ECNL kids are doing GDA. The non-Ecnl are not. They are doing high school. That is the poll in our area of the northeast anyway. For what it's worth...

Most of them went from PAC to Penn fusion I think the twins were at strikers for a year or so. But I think most of them have been at oenn fusion a few years. They seem to be getting better. Some have even been to national camp and all pdp

All this talk about PF, PAC and who developed their own talent versus what club is importing it in. Let's face it, many players start out at U9, U10 and even U11 being coached by coaches that coach effort and hopefully teach some skills that will be necessary to advance to the next level. If we are smart about it and watch other teams playing against our girls, we may find the coach that is excellent at both. Think back to how many coaches you have come across so far and honestly think about how many really good ones there are? There are truly not that many and its amazing how many of the good ones come across as socially awkward (or just tired of dealing with parents). To say Penn Fusion imports all of their talent that was trained by other clubs may be true to some extent, but show me a team at U16 that doesn't have girls that came from four to five different teams. I don't know about you guys, but from U9 to U14 I didn't care about the club, I wanted my daughter to have the best coach. The club is important from this point on.

10:04 Someone complained about PDA bringing players prior to tryouts (I'm guessing you).Remove 10 players from Splash who finished 6 out of 18 in F1and replace them with 10 from Hornets 22 out of 24 in F3, not looking very good for the 01 ECNL team next season once GDA comes around and the top PDA players play for Sky Blue GDA.

Splash had its day u12 to u15 they were soild...Now with the age change,they lost to many girls,and that last coach burned to many girls,they left pda for other clubs,so they had no one to replace them

Where is that PAC parent that was touting the 02's and how strong their new DA would be? PAC teams got crushed at Jeff and at this point better hope for a lot of players from outside their club show up for DA tryouts.

19:27 I agree. But the truth hurts sometimes. That team is loaded with college commits If they sit these players more to give time to other players to show their stuff, then it's not the coach - the team just isn't that deep after stars are removed.

5:58PAC 02s didn't do well. But you say PAC "teams", plural, didn't do well. Other teams there did fairly well. PAC DA, as others, will take a couple years to get solid. Word is big name coach is joining as girls DOC and 17/16 team coach.Here's a question to you PF parents...between 02 and 01 rosters there are 36 players according to team pages. Where will the girls that don't make their DA go? Will they be satisfied with a "pre-academy" team or leave for other DA program?

In fairness 5:58 PAC 02's were in the top bracket and in a group with 3 ECNL teams. If you look back at Fall results they have already played and beat Rush and Clevland who PF played and had 3 1 goal games with Pipeline. Had they been with Rush, Cleveland, and Pipeline results wouldn't have been the way the were. If they combine the best of their 01/02 and pick up a few solid players from outside the DA team will be good. Add onto that this top to be named coach no less.

Hey 3/23 at 5:55, it's me the one you called "not too bright" as a post on which I commented on didn't discuss PF PDP players other than three. Here's the quote from the post - "Since she was put forward for PDP, they must consider her a top player in the club. Looks like 1 99, 2 00, 3 01s in the whole club plus a 00 GK. It's an honor congrats."Hmmm. That comment notes more than 3, Fredo.

I was just wondering if they all came from PAC, but found out they didn't.

Season is just starting. Let it play out. Good teams are not always at their best every tournament/showcase. Just as one example, look at FCV 01's results from Phoenix in the Fall where they were defeated 5-1 and 4-0.

142I think the comments were regarding the future of PAC GDA. If the central PA kids stop going to PF in seeking to play at the highest level, and instead look to PAC, the club's girl's side will rise up at PF expense. The mere fact that these girls travel to West Chester to play is a statement that PF is currently seen as the best girl's program for kids from Central PA.

Will that change with the GDA? I think it will. Kids won't drive to PF when they can cut their commute dramatically by joining PAC from Penn legacy, LDC, HMMS etc. development programs. Unless PAC screw it up by providing a second tier to their boys programs opportunity, they should rise to the top fairly quickly.

Given that the three former PAC kids play in 3 different age groups and are acknowledged by PF, by their inclusion in PDP, to be among the best players in their age group, that rise could be very quick indeed. PAC become immediately successful if these kids transfer their affiliation to PAC next year.

Anyone there saw former PAC kids slice and dice national team defenders all day long in Pottstown. If they came back to Lancaster, there would be immediate elevation of level of these teams and resulting lowering of Penn Fusion thus resulting in an immediate shift in power. If I were MH I would be actively trying to get these kids back now for sure.

If they don't get them back, (I think there are 5 02s from Lanc/Har in addition to the 3 PDP kids and others just under the PDP bar) the older age groups will perform relatively poorly when up against PF next year. If they do take a wait and see approach, it may take some couple year's time for PAC to grow into the powerhouse they have the potential to become.

Ah yeah the point of the post was PAC will succeed in the future provided they put out a quality product to compete with PF. If they want to be competitive immediately it will take kids returning to central PA from WC

In time, maybe. Some clubs have produced more than one kid/guy/gal that has played on the sr. US NT and/or sending players internationally.He's a special player. He would have been successful where ever he went.

8:49 - I am not sure about the shift in power comment. PF has been doing this for a long time and quite successfully. And, as they are going to be the only GDA in the Philly/PA area closest to PDA, they should get some kids from other teams coming over as well like they do already.

12:OO Your really going to bring up a win over Cleveland? Let's not forget that PF kicked ass last weekend and those PF parents only love one thing more than themselves, and that's winning. Anyone counting on PAC receiving help from those PF players will be waiting a long time. 9:36 Good point about NJ's U16's. Really though a couple of teams would do well last weekend. Thought "Mercer" was in an easy bracket and should have done well, as a few other of the higher ranked teams should have. But it is early and fortunes may change.

U14 teams that benefited from the BYC and mergers moving upto their new 2001 U16 age group.

My top 5. The u14 teams were not top of the list - so the U15 teams last year had to be solid or they brought in some new talent. Oakwood was solid at u14 (so they really shouldn't be on the list - but I think they are better and their 36.64 will adjust as they play better teams this spring.

I doubt the majority of parents on here are hoping that any top players switch clubs and attend their child's club DA tryouts. At this age it isn't about the score. Sure it's always a bonus to win and watch your kids team be successful but it's really about the player and being seen at this point. The players of one DA club will be seen as much as the next regardless of which team wins a game. Parents should want their kid to be on the field playing while scouts are looking on, not watching from the bench. It's not U14 anymore. The starting 11 on ANY DA team will have offers coming their way.

4:05 I totally agree with you. Funny thing is that some of the 02 parents actually believe Tina when he says he's going to do an even split with the age groups for the DA, even though he has already let them know his four player from the Westmont School are already on the DA team. But don't worry girls, he also said that he'll promote four players while their playing HS ball at Westmont in the fall, so there's hope for some playing time. It must be the truth because we all know that Tino would never fib about anything soccer related!

8:50 Not sour at all as my daughter is in a great situation right now and we feel extremely fortunate. I do feel for any parents that are experiencing this level for the first time with their oldest or maybe only child. Its easy to believe someone who is telling you exactly what you want to hear about your daughter. There are very few coaches that are truly vested in the teams they coach and right from the beginning tell you what your daughter weaknesses are, versus what she does well. As for club directors, lets remember that they are running a business and need to keep them checks coming. And besides, is it really telling a lie when there's a couple shred's of truth in a statement?11:46You are right on the money. But that's exactly what Tino told everyone at the town hall meeting and he would never mislead parents that way.

Just saw this posted on blog. Is this why 2001 Cedar Stars Team had a different coach on Saturday and Sunday?"Major report of inappropriate behavior(drinking alcohol in room with players) with Cedar Stars Coach being sent home in middle of Jefferson Cup and another Cedar Stars Coach sent to coach team for rest of weekend. The first report we heard was there would bee a suspension of the coach but then our coach was on the practice field this week so waiting to see if it will be swept under the rug by Cedar Stars Club".

Evidently there is a picture on social media of the incident. It was deleted but once the pictures are online they are always available. Also news of the incident is making the rounds among our parents on various teams at the club. The parent who made the original complaint is very upset that his daughter was put in this position. This will not go away. In the past a 5 year suspension followed when this happened with a coach and his teenage players at an away tournament.

That post didn't blame the players....read again. Merely brought up the question regarding the players. As a parent I'd be pushing for coach to be fired. But I would also have a lengthy discussion with my daughter if she were involved. These aren't toddlers....